Museum Collections
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The Museum collects and preserves materials related to the lives and careers of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and their friends, family, and associates. The Museum also acquires items that reflect political, social, military, diplomatic, and cultural life in America during the 1930s and 1940s.
The Museum does not accept unsolicited donations. Please see Donate or Contact the Museum for more information.
Description of the Collection
Franklin Roosevelt was a great collector. From an early age he gathered large collections
of stamps, ship models, rare books, prints, coins, and drawings. By the time of his
election as President, he had amassed one of the nation's finest collections of naval
art and impressive collections of Hudson River Valley art and historical prints. During
the New Deal years, he collected hundreds of examples of art and crafts work produced
by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and other government agencies.
FDR placed all of his personal collections in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, which he created in 1941. These materials became the core of a Museum collection that now numbers over 34,000 items. In the years after 1941, the collection expanded to include clothing, personal items, furniture, and other materials connected to the President and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. There are also items related to their family, friends, and political associates and material that reflect the rich social, political, and cultural history of the United States during the 1930s and 1940s.
Museum Objects In Your Area
The Museum maintains an active loan program. Items from our collection are currently on display in exhibits around the nation. Click on the links below to find out more about current exhibits in your area that include objects from the FDR Museum.
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Georgia Museum of Art Artist Edmund Lewandowski (1914-1998) painted this waterfront scene for the Wisconsin Art Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA provided work for thousands of unemployed artists during the Great Depression. |
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National First Ladies' Library This Victory Token was presented to Eleanor Roosevelt by the maker, George J. Reid, in 1942. On the reverse is the text, "REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR" and a prayer for victory. |
Victory Token |
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Minnesota Historical Society
Defense worker Peggy Johlf presented FDR with this paperweight when he toured the Twin Cities Ordinance Plant in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 19, 1942. It features three copper tipped brass cartridges. |
Cartridge paperweight |
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National Constitution Center
On June 29, 1944, thirteen year old Donald Beck of McClean, Virginia visited the White House to present FDR with this bullet-scarred propeller tip from a downed Japanese warplane. The inscription on it recalls the contributions of millions of American school children who purchased over $500 million in war bonds and stamps during the 1943-1944 school year. "I am very proud," FDR noted, "and shall take this gift to my library at Hyde Park." |
Propeller tip |
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National Park Service - Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites
Eleanor Roosevelt kept this set of wedding scene figurines on the dining room table at her Val-Kill cottage. |
Set of Wedding Scene Figurines |
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Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission
This stained birchbark letter pouch was made by Passamaquoddy artist Tomah Joseph. Joseph (1837-1914) lived in Peter Dana Point, Maine. But each summer he and his family came to Campobello Island, where he worked as a fishing and canoe guide for the "summer colony" residents and also made and sold canoes, baskets and artwork. Joseph became friendly with the Roosevelt family, who owned a summer home on Campobello. In addition to this pouch, he also made a birchbark canoe for Franklin Roosevelt. |
Letter Pouch |
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Walt Disney World – Hall of Presidents
President Roosevelt was a celebrated stamp collector. He collected nearly 1 million stamps during his lifetime. FDR used this "Roto-Gage" stamp guage when he worked with his collection. It was made by the Imperial Molded Products Corporation of Cicago. |
Stamp guage |
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The Women's Museum
This gold-tone metal admission card for the 1936 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia was issued to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. |
Admittance card |
Museum Research Questions
Museum staff is available to answer research questions. You may send a research query to the attention of our staff by email, fax, or postal mail. Please provide as much detailed information as possible so that we may best address your inquiry. If possible, include a photograph of any relevant objects/documents. Someone will respond to your request within 10 working days.
Email: Museum.FDR@nara.gov
FAX: (845) 486-1147
Postal Mail:
Museum Department
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum
4079 Albany Post Rd.
Hyde Park, NY12538
Phone: (845) 486-7763 or (845) 486-7743
Appraisals
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum does not appraise or authenticate historical
materials, artwork, or political memorabilia. For information about appraisals and
appraiser referrals, you may wish to consult the following web sites:
